Florence weakens to tropical depression, 13 dead

EPA-EFE / JIM LO SCALZO

Hurricane Florence weakened to a tropical depression early on Sunday, the United States National Hurricane Center reported. Parts of North and South Carolina were still expected to be hit with flash floods and significant river flooding. The officials warned the amounts of rain still expected to fall are "catastrophic." The maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 35 mph (55 km/h) with higher gusts, the center said.

According to the latest police report, 13 people died in the storm, ten in North and three in South Carolina. The latest three North Carolina deaths happened due to flash flooding and swift water on roads in Duplin County, the local sheriff’s department said.

"Most storm deaths occur from drowning in fresh water, often in cars," North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper said, advising citizens not to drive across standing or moving water.